Some still believe that the Jersey City Heights is the current mayor’s stronghold for the upcoming mayoral election in Jersey City. If you attended the mayoral Forum at P.S. No. 28, the applause needle would say differently. There is now a positive vibe for mayoral hopeful, favorite and front runner Steven Fulop. Still, political movers and shakers call the Heights the belly of the beast. After all, the county executive, his chief of staff and for all intent and purposes, the sitting mayor lives in what traditionally is considered the Heights.

During the vetting process for councilman, everyone and their sister tried all they could to court Sean Connors. It’s true and no one can deny it. At the end of the day, a partnership was created between Fulop and Connors. It wasn’t easy to make this dynamic duo happen, but as one Fulop commercial states “some things weren’t meant to be easy”

When I asked Sean Connors a few questions that were near to my heart, it was apparent that he is always willing to listen to all concerns and at least consider them. I brought up an idea about Temporary Art Galleries (TAG) on Central Ave. So many storefronts have their shudders closed and are all but abandoned. Their vacancy is depressing and in need of new life. If store owners were willing to open up their stores and/or windows for Art to appear for residents that walk by, we might find some rejuvenation. It will be better for the quality of life. Consider incentives for both. Artists can take ownership of their work by making sure the area north and south of the store is Clean, land owners have a better chance of their property being leased in an area that is no longer trashed. One great thing about Fulop and Connors is that they welcome fresh ideas one at a time.

When a neighbor asked Sean Connors what he would do about crime, Sean talked about bringing back the Bike Patrol. This is another way of covering the beat, only with mountain bikes that can hit hard to reach areas that squad cars can’t. Putting more cops on the beat in this creative way is welcome to the people I talk to.

The campaign for mayor and council is heating up and getting exciting. If more people knew the activity that is going on at Congess & Central, at the Fulop/Connors Club, it’s nothing short of outstanding. Under Shawn Sully’s direction, there are too many volunteers to name and thank, that are hitting the street, getting out the vote and providing residents with correct information and not misinformation.

We might be in the belly of the beast, but I can say with certainty, it’s no longer the sitting mayor’s stronghold. When we elect Fulop for Mayor and Connors for Ward D Council, the Jersey City Heights will begin to become the beauty it once was.